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This information applies to Scotland
How to change your name
If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name(s) (forenames or surnames) at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud.
Once you have decided to change your name, you can use the new name for all purposes. However, you will need to produce evidence that you have changed your name for most official purposes.
Although it is not necessary, it is advisable to officially record the change of name with the Registrar General (see below).
In some cases it would not be in your interest to have the change recorded, for example, in the case of domestic violence. A change of name is recorded on a public register and anyone, for example a violent ex-partner, would have access to the change of name.
Marriage or civil partnership
If you get married or register a civil partnership you can use any name, including your spouse or partner’s, as long as no fraud is intended. A woman does not have to take her husband’s name and one civil partner does not have to take the name of the other.
If you have married or registered a civil partnership and changed your name, you can make an official recording of your change of name. However there is no real benefit in doing this as your marriage or civil partnership certificate is recognised as sufficient proof of a change of name.
Divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership
If you divorce or dissolve a civil partnership you can go back to using your previous surname without having to officially record the change, although it is possible to do so.
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Changing a child’s name
Changing the name of a child (under the age of 16) can only be done by someone who has parental responsibilities for the child. This will usually be the child’s parents if the parents are married, or the child’s mother if the parents are not married. An unmarried father can only change a child’s name if he has acquired parental responsibilities towards the child. He may have acquired these rights if, from 4 May 2006, he registered his child's birth jointly with the child's mother. Alternatively he can acquire parental resonsibilities and rights through a parental responsibilities agreement or a court order.
If more than one person has parental responsibilities for the child, they must all agree to the change of name.
A mother who is under sixteen herself can change her child’s name.
A person who gave the child’s forename in baptism also has the right to apply to change the child’s name. This usually only happens in cases where the parents have given the name initially and then decide to change it when the child is baptised.
Objecting to a child’s name being changed
If someone without parental responsibilities wants to object to a child’s name being changed, s/he may have to obtain a court order.
If you want to object to a child’s name being changed you should consult an experienced adviser for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on  nearest CAB.
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How to record a change of name
If you were born or adopted in Scotland, you can record a change of name with the Registrar General.
You can obtain the appropriate application form to record a change of name from:-
- any registrar of births, deaths, and marriages in Scotland (the address of a local registrar can be found in the telephone directory), or:-
- General Register Office
Change of Name Unit
New Register House
Edinburgh
EH1 3YT
Tel: 0131 314 4404
Fax: 0131 314 4400
Email: via contact form on website
Website: www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
There is a fee for recording a change of name.
How many times can you change your name
There is a limit to the number of times that you can record a change of name with the Registrar General:-
- only one change of forename(s) and one change of surname(s) may be recorded for a child under 16 years of age. For a child under the age of two, only a change of forename(s) may be recorded.
- for people over 16 years, one change of forename and up to three changes of surname may be recorded. A period of five years must elapse between successive changes of surname.
- if you have reached the limit of the number of times that you can record a change of name, you can still change your name, but it cannot be officially recorded by the Registrar General.
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Informing others of the change of name
Whether you choose to record your change of name or not, it is important to inform individuals or agencies, for example the children's school or the Benefits Agency, of the change of name.
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